Edwin medden



(Mdei 4 E. MBDDBN.. Journal BOX.

No. 242,672.. vvPatented lune 7,1881.

,/7 HIHIIIII'IIIII N. PEYERS. Ybawmhagnpher, wnmngmn, DA c.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN MEDDEN, oF SENEoA FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOE To THE SILSBY MANUFAGTUEINGUOMPANY, oF SAME PLACE.

.JOURNAL-Box.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,672, dated June 7, 1881. Application filed January 4, 1881. (Model.)

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN MEDDEN, a citi-4 1o journal-boxes, consisting of a cast-iron bracket with two cylindrical or nearly cylindrical openings, in which are placed independent thimbles of bronze or other good anti-friction metal,

constituting the brasses or bearings of the journals.

The improvement particularly consists in a novel construction of bracket for receiving the thimbles or brasses and securing them -in required position 5 also, in so fitting the thimbles within the sockets of the bracket that they may have a solid bearing within said,

bracket on the side where the stress and pressure are received While in operation, while on the opposite side, where no pressure occurs, a space is left to permit the expansion of the thimble in event ofheating, so that it may not bind on the journal.

In order that myinvention and the mode of carrying it into eect may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a front view of cast bracket with two boxes and a tliimble-bearin g applied within one of them. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse section thereof. Fig. 4 is a plan or side view of one of the thimbles detached. Fig. 5 is a front view of the same. In the drawings, A represents the outside cast-iron bracket made with two boxes adapted for the reception of thimbles or sleeves B, of bronze or other good anti-friction metal, which constitute the journal bearings or brasses, which are fitted in the said cast-iron brackets orI boxes," and at the same time are independent of them. These thimbles or sleeves B consti tute journal-bearin gs for shafts, to which, in rotary engines and pumps, the rotating cams or pistons are attached.

In rotating engines and pumps as heretofore constructed, the metal thimbles or sleeves B have been made to it perfectly in the castironbrackets or boxes A, for the purpose of keeping the shafts central or in proper place. When thel engine or pump orvboth are running under heavy pressure or at a high rate of speed the thimbles or sleeves B become i heated, owing to the excessive friction, and enlarge. The thimbles or sleeves B being tightly itted in the brackets or boxes A, there is no .room for'them to expand outwardly, as the natural tendency would be, but they tighten on the shafts and prevent them from revolving, frequently resulting in injury to the machine, and Sometimes, in the case of steam fireengines, indirectly causing the destruction of much valuable property. This difficulty is overcome in my invention by providing sufficient room for the thimbles or sleeves to expand when heated, preventing them from tightening on the shafts, and allowing the latter to revolve freely and perform their full duty. This may be accomplished by relieving or taking olf a portion of the thimble or Sleeve B viz., half its circle, or by removing or taking out a portion of the bracket or box A-viz., half its circle; but this should be done on the opposite side from thatm on which the shaft bears on thejournal-box, so that the thimble or sleeve will retain its proper position in the bracket or box and keep the shafts and rotating cams or pistons in their proper places.

I am aware that boxes have before been made with eccentric bushings combined with set-screws for the purpose of adj ustin ga-crankwrist toits pitman or for analogous purposes;

but such a device is inapplicable to my invention, which necessitates the use of a continuous and concentric thimble of cylindrical or nearly cylindrical exterior, fitting concentrically on the journal and tted within its bracket, so as to leave an extended space on one side, which should extend to one-half the cir'- cumference of the thimble, or nearly so. The expansion and contraction of the box are thus automatically compensated for without care or attention on the part of the engineer, and in this respect my invention, especially in its application to steam lire-engines, is practically superior to such as require or admit of variable adjustment in their bearings, and hence IOO cannot be used by any but skillful engineers and its supporting-box, as and for the purwithout danger of injury or disaster. poses set forth.

Having thus described my invention7 thefol- 2. The combination of the bracket A and lowing is what I claim as new therein and debrass or thimble B, constructed and arranged 5 sire to secure by Letters Patent: as and for the purposes set forth.

1. A journalbox for rotary engines and T pumps constructed With a cylindrical brass or EDWD MEDDEN' thilnble tting the journal and supported with- Witnesses: in a stationary box or bracket, with an ex- R. DUNN,

1o tended space on one side between said brass OHAs. W. RIEGEL. 

